World Series 2026: Brewers erase early 4-run deficit to take 2-0 series lead in disaster game for Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays had a dream start in Game 2 of the 2026 World Series. Everything after that was a nightmare.After falling behind 4-0 in the top of the first inning, the Milwaukee Brewers scored five unanswered runs to stun Tampa Bay in a 5-4 win on Saturday. Milwaukee leads the series 2-0 as it heads to Tampa Bay.Game 3 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET Monday, with ALCS MVP Freddy Peralta taking the mound for the Rays and left-hander Robert Gasser pitching for the Brewers.Ashby does it again!Brewers take Game 2@MLBONFOX pic.twitter.com/iH8OXF0jy3— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) October 25, 2026 The Rays had every reason for confidence at the start of Game 2, based on what they did to Brewers rookie starting pitcher Logan Henderson. Yandy Díaz led off the game by reaching base on an error. Chandler Simpson and Junior Caminero each recorded RBI singles. Liam Hicks clubbed a two-run homer to make it 4-0 and silence American Family Field.In his 25-start career entering Saturday, Henderson hadn't allowed more than three runs in a game. The Rays ended that streak in the span of five batters, though one of their runs was unearned.Tampa Bay probably isn't getting a better setup in this series than a four-run lead with ace Drew Rasmussen on the mound. Those are the games you're supposed to — and need to — win. And yet …How it all fell apart for the RaysThe Brewers immediately got two runs back in the bottom of the first on hits by William Contreras and Garrett Mitchell. They pestered and prodded Rasmussen on nearly every at-bat, much like they have done against good pitchers all postseason, and ran his pitch count to 89 pitches in only 3 2/3 innings of work.Milwaukee got one more run back in the fourth inning on a Jonathan Aranda error and chased Rasmussen from the game when Jake Bauers drew a walk to load the bases. It was Rasmussen's shortest start since July 9, and it tied for his second-shortest start of 2026 between the regular season and postseason.The Brewers are within one! pic.twitter.com/lkifKBuyZn— MLB (@MLB) October 25, 2026 The Tampa Bay bullpen was rested after using none of its high-leverage arms in Game 1, but again, the Rays failed to take advantage. They instead made mistakes against a team built to punish mistakes.The Rays could have scored a much-needed insurance run in the sixth, when Hicks led off with a hit-by-pitch (a painful one), then took second on a sacrifice bunt by Richie Palacios. Victor Mesa Jr. slapped a grounder into left field for a single, at which point Rays third-base coach Brady Williams gave Hicks the send home.It was a terrible decision and the kind of decision a team makes when it's pressing. Hicks is quite literally the slowest player on the Rays, and the ball was in Brewers left fielder Jackson Chourio's glove before Hicks had even touched third base. The ball beat Hicks home by about 10 feet. The Rays challenged the play, arguing that Contreras had blocked the plate at home, but lost it. So their coaching staff managed to flub a single play twice.Jackson Chourio throws out the runner at home! 💪 pic.twitter.com/NGx1L3D5MS— MLB (@MLB) October 25, 2026 In the bottom of the sixth, Sal Frelick tied the game with a solo homer off Rays left-hander Cam Booser. That would be Sal Frelick, the Brewers' scrappy, low-power right fielder. Sal Frelick, who hadn't recorded a left-on-left homer since Opening Day. Sal Frelick, who hadn't hit a home run to that part of American Family Field in his four-year career.SAL FRELICK. TIE GAME. pic.twitter.com/aSkT0NcTRU— MLB (@MLB) October 25, 2026 The go-ahead run came one inning later, when Brice Turang led off the seventh with a double and scored on a single by rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt.THE BREWERS HAVE COME ALL THE WAY BACK TO TAKE THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/n3aK0UEIJV— MLB (@MLB) October 25, 2026 The Brewers' offense did what it has been doing since the start of the season. Rays pitchers combined to throw 184 pitches across eight innings, while Milwaukee logged 11 hits and five walks. The Brewers just kept coming, even against what could be the strongest pitching situation the Rays will have all series.Similarly, the Brewers bullpen continued to dominate once Henderson left the game after three innings. JoJo Romero, Dustin May, DL Hall, Abner Uribe and Aaron Ashby combined for six shutout innings.Like in Game 1, the Rays threatened to tie the game in the top of the ninth, this time against Ashby. However, Ashby struck out Yandy Díaz to end the game with the tying run on third. Ashby has now posted 15 2/3 shutout innings with 5 hits and 17 strikeouts this postseason. That's a pretty large reason Milwaukee is now two wins away from the first World Series title in franchise history.Most of the other reasons were on display in Game 2 as well.